The Forum was originally conceived as the Atlantic Future Forum and has, since its inception in 2018, been hosted by the First Sea Lord on the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth. Since then the Forum has been convened annually, hosted alongside Annapolis in 2019 and HMNB Portsmouth in 2020. Lord Sedwill has been its Chairman since 2020.
Delivered in partnership with HM Government and the Royal Navy, the Pacific Future Forum is one of the UK Government’s keynote international events of 2021.
The PFF aims to foster dialogue and cooperation between democratic nations, providing a platform to convene and debate the most pressing global challenges of today, from climate change and the economic aftershocks of COVID-19 to the future of defence and the technologies of tomorrow.
This year the Forum looks eastwards, broadening the scope of the Western alliance to reflect our increasingly interdependent and globalised world. Its core focus is to bring together like-minded nations in the East and West to reset, partner and reimagine a model of multilateralism that can tackle the world’s greatest challenges.
Since its inception the Forum has brought together senior decision makers and distinguished thought leaders from around the world. Previous delegates include heads of state, ministers, military and diplomatic leaders, and high-ranking representatives from industry, academia, and the media.
Partner Advisory Group
The Partner Advisory Council, led by PFF Chairman Lord Sedwill, consists of a representative from each of the Headline, Strategic and Associate Partners. The group plays a critical role in the development of the Forum, advising the Chairman on thematic focus and strategic direction of each iteration of the event.
The Team
Lord Sedwill KCMG FGRS
Chairman, Pacific Future Forum
Lord Sedwill is Chairman of the Pacific Future Forum and Chairman of the G7 Panel on Global Economic Resilience. He is a former Cabinet Secretary (2018-20) and National Security Adviser (2017-20). Prior to this, Mark was the Permanent Secretary at the Home Office (2013-17), NATO Representative in Afghanistan (2010-11), HM Ambassador to Afghanistan (2009-10) and Director of UK visas (2006-8).
Stephen Watson
PFF Director
Stephen is an Honorary Commodore in the Royal Navy and helped conceive the Atlantic Future Forum, first staged on board HMS Queen Elizabeth in New York Harbour in 2018. Stephen is Chief Executive of the UK based CTN Group, an independent media and communications agency working with global businesses, governments and international organisations. He is a former journalist and BBC News producer and has been a communications advisor to 10 Downing Street.
